Advantages

Disadvantages

5 stars without a shadow of a doubt!

I'm a little bit of a snob when it comes to breaks away and holidays, I'll be the first to admit it, so when my mum suggested Blackpool for our annual girly few days away with the children, I was less than impressed. My head filled with all the stereotypes of what I expected Blackpool to be and I couldn't believe we would be spending 3 nights there! After returning at lunchtime today I wanted to put down in writing immediately just how much fun we had! I couldn't have been more wrong and have had an amazing few days with my mum and my two girls, but without a shadow of doubt, the most fun we had was at Blackpool Tower where we spent nearly a full day.

The Blackpool Tower Circus (contains a big spoiler!!):

This was absolutely amazing! Arriving an hour before the show started we expected to be first in line for the doors opening at 12.15 for the 1pm show, however there was around 100 people waiting in line before us! Tickets are for seats on a first come basis and are not allocated. If you want to go to the Circus I have to recommend that you get there an hour before it starts otherwise you may be up in the gods which wouldn't give the best views. Seating is in the usual tiered arena style as you would expect from a circus so 90% of people will have brilliant views, but avoid having to sit in the gods. There is allocated seating for wheelchair users, but apart from these the seats are compacted closely together so expect very little leg room. Face painting is available for only £2 per child and this made it for me seeing my two little girls watching the circus with clown faces and red noses! Plate spinning and various light up swords / tiaras etc are all available for purchase at reasonable prices, as is a small selection of juices, ice creams and popcorn. Now on to the circus! I really cannot describe it any other way than absolutely fantastic. It features Mooky the Clown and Mr Booo who are full of the usual slap stick gags ready to entertain the audience. The real show comes in the form of a group of Cuban acrobats who did some show stopping routines, which were literally phenomenal. After an hour long first half and a short interval, the second half features some amazing routines but for me the best part of the show came when the circus floor dropped and 42,000 gallons of water filled the circus ring with a mini Bellagio style fountain in the centre! Amazing! How they turn it round for the 4pm show I have no idea! Dating back to 1894 it's the oldest permanent circus arena in the world. Amazingly, the circus has never missed a season, not even during World War 1 & 2! My girls were disappointed when they realised there wouldn't be any animals in the circus, but I was surprised to learn that animals such as lion, polar bears and elephants performed right up until 1990!

The Blackpool Tower Ballroom:

After our visit to Jungle Jims play centre we had a little time to kill before we made our way to the circus so when we stumbled across the Ballroom we couldn't believe our luck that it was full of ballroom dancing! For a mum with two very girly girls this was very cheap and fun entertainment! In the beautiful setting of the ballroom, you can watch the ballroom dancers dance the day away or you can even join in. Afternoon tea may be an option for those with more time than we had. Dating back to 1894 the Ballroom is world famous for its spectacular architecture and is so magical. Listening to the Wurlitzer and watching the ballroom dancers was a fantastic (and free) experience, and one that I shall never forget.

The Blackpool Tower Eye with 4D Cinema Experience:

Amazingly, your ticket up the tower includes so much more than just that and is an experience. We knew little about it before we went up and were surprised when we were told to pick up some 3D glasses along the way. A 4D cinema experience sees you fly around the Tower through a unique perspective and experience some truly unique sensory special effects! While showing the history of the Tower in a short video clip, it also puts into perspective the sheer scale of this amazing attraction. A small queue awaited us after the cinema, but the Tower was so well managed that it seemed to fly passed. We were kept constantly moving and along the way there were lots of facts about the Tower to keep you occupied. A photo opportunity along the way saw your family group sitting on one of the steel girders of the Tower or flying a plane passed the Tower: all ways to keep the family entertained. After this were the two lifts which split the queues and ride you to the top of the Tower. Taking 68 seconds the ride up is smooth but extremely high (it seems much much higher once you are up there!). At the top you are enclosed in a glass observation deck which gives visitors the opportunity to stand on a glass walkway called the SkyWalk. I expected my young children to go nowhere near this but they instantly ran over to it and were looking right through their feet and the ground below them (all be it a long way down!). 380 feet up, the views are phenomenal and if you are lucky to visit on a clear day as we were, this makes the experience all the better as you are able to walk all the way around the Tower to see the stunning views. There is also the option to go higher, but be warned that this does take you outside (all be it protected by lots and lots of metal meshing), so it is exceptionally windy up there! Surprisingly it was my four year that was adamant she wanted to venture higher!

Jungle Jims Children's Indoor Play:

Set within the 'Lost City', the giant Inca Gods that guard the entrance set the scene for an amazing hour of fun for children. With lots of swinging, climbing and sliding to be done, it's a good way to burn some of that hyper 'Blackpoolness' out of them (I blame the candy floss, ice cream, rock etc!)! There is a small selection of drinks on offer, and they are pricey. We had two slush puppies, a diet coke and a coffee and it came to £12 which was pretty steep. There is also a small area selling Jungle Jims merchandise but luckily we were able to make the children completely avoid this area, so we probably saved a fortune there! There are timed sessions during weekends and school holidays, and luckily we were aware of this before we visited so were able to head there when the Tower opened at 10am and were the first ones in. For ease, I will list the time sessions (you will notice that you get to play for 15 minutes longer in the two morning sessions, so you will gain more 'value' by opting for one of these two sessions):

10 - 11.15 am11.30 - 12.30pm12.45 - 1.45pm2 - 3pm3.10 - 4.10pm

The Blackpool Tower Dungeon:

Unfortunately we didn't visit this attraction. With a four and six year old in tow, I didn't think it would be wise! Bringing 1000 years of Blackpool's history to life, there are 10 actor led shows which interact with the audience.... (you can only imagine!). The visit culminates with being sentenced to death on the Extremis drop ride - prepare to scream from the rafters!

Burger Kitchen:

We didn't eat here, and instead opted for a mini picnic from Marks and Spencers (literally just around the corner), but it resembled a posh McDonalds. With the promise of locally sourced beef and fresh ingredients, it didn't look a bad option, and with ample seating, it would be a good option for a lunchtime burger.

Extras:

The Ballroom, small games area with penny slots and a few other games and terrace views overlooking the promenade are all completely free to enter. The whole place is fantastically clean and well managed, with plenty of staff on hand to help should you require any assistance.

Prices:

I haven't listed individual prices for each attraction as although they are available to visit as individual attractions, I really wouldn't recommend doing it this way. To put it into perspective, the circus prices for an adult to visit are £12.60, while a child is £9.60 and the Tower and eye experience is £9 per person. Individually this would have cost us £80, however the option to purchase tickets together reduces the cost and so for a family of four to visit the Circus, the Tower and the play centre cost us just £63 which provided a full day out and which I think was exceptional value. There is also the option to spend £25 per person which gives you what we got plus entrance to the Dungeons.

Opening Times:

The Tower opens at 10am and doesn't open its doors until this time. If you are in Blackpool for a few days I would recommend buying your tickets the day before you plan to visit, which will mean you can skip the queues when it opens and head straight to your first attraction. This is what we did and meant that we were able to head straight to Jungle Jims and be the first through the door. The last admission of the day is at 5.30 but unless you only plan to go up the Tower, in my opinion this would be a complete waste of money visiting at this time.

Blackpool Tower is a must see destination with so much to do, and with something for all ages! Packed full of history.... and fun!

Comments

Advantages

Disadvantages

well worth a visit!

Blackpool Tower is a strong part of Blackpool history. The Tower was designed by James Maxwell and Charles Tuke. The design of Blackpool Tower was influenced by the Eiffel Tower. The Tower stands at 518 feet (158m) and is visible as you arrive into Blackpool.

Blackpool Tower is located just off the Promenade and is a short distance from the beach, piers and hotels. There are two entrances into the main tower building. Trams, buses and taxis stop nearby and the tower is accessible for wheelchairs and prams. Blackpool Tower is home to many attractions which are all located within the main building underneath the tower or within the tower itself.

The main building of Blackpool Tower is now free to wander around and there is a burger cafe and shop selling food and knick knacks. Lifts service all floors (5 within the main building) and are spacious in order to carry several passengers. If you plan on experiencing a few different attractions within the tower or local area, there is the option to purchase combination tickets up to £49 per person. Each attraction is individually priced.

Blackpool Tower is opened daily (except Christmas Day) from 10am - 4pm. The various attractions within the tower operate different opening and closing times.

*~*Our Tower Experience*~*

During our recent trip to Blackpool, our son was insistent on visiting Blackpool Tower. My fiance and I had previously visited the tower but were aware it had undergone some major changes. The tower itself is visible from most parts of Blackpool. It has a rusty red looking exterior which is currently being renewed (very noisy work!). It doesn't look as fancy as the Eiffel Tower but it fits in perfectly with the Blackpool theme! At night, the top of the tower is illuminated and looks beautiful but very different from the way I remember it as a child.

We had a 2 for 1 voucher to use at the tower so couldn't take advantage of the combination ticket offer. I was a little confused by the tickets at first until the lady at the desk explained that the attractions are individually priced as opposed to being lumped together. This does work out quite expensive. We didn't get to experience all of the attractions whilst we visited the tower. This wasn't by choice but out of season, the Circus wasn't on and our son was too young to visit the Dungeons so my views are based on the experience of the attractions that we did manage to see.We visited the tower on the Tuesday afternoon.

I would say an afternoon is more than enough time to experience Blackpool Tower. The tower is easy to navigate due to being well sign posted and there is the option of stairs or the lift. The actual tower building is beautiful inside and a pleasure to wander around. Whilst we didn't have anything to eat, the burger cafe looked pleasant and offered meals for around £5.00 - the menu was very basic. A seating area looked out over the promenade and allowed the beach and Irish Sea to be viewed on a good day.

Any staff that we encourtered during our visit were friendly and could give advice or information where appropriate. The ground floor of the tower building features an amusement arcade with lots of penny push, teddy and 50p ride machines as well as the Dungeon shop (which terrified the life out me if I am being honest). Overall the tower is clean and tidy. There are toilets dotted around the tower building and they are very clean and well stocked.

*~*Blackpool Tower Eye and 4D Cinema*~*

Our ticket was for this attraction (£12.60 per adult, £9.60 per child and £39.60 per family).

We took the lift to the 5th floor and found our way to the reception desk for the 4D cinema. We were informed that this is every 30mins and we were just in time for the showing. Provided with 4D glasses, we made our way into a stand up cinema complete with a massive screen. The room went dark and we were able to experience the short 4D film that they offer. Thankfully our son wasn't too scared by this!

The video shown promotes Blackpool and the tower in general. It shows the experience of a young boy who flies around the seaside resort and even experiences a ride on the Pepsi Max at the Pleasure Beach. The video is complete with fireworks, bubbles and water flying at you and is very realistic! We were impressed and at the end, we had a short walk to the lift to take us up the tower!

The last time we went up the tower was on a clear day during April. At the time, it was possible to wander around the main floor with the 'Walk of Faith' glass panel and then proceed up the winding staircase to the outside (but enclosed) part of the tower. It has completely changed and definitely for the better! As we made our way up, the 2 staff accompanying us told us a bit about the work being carried out and what to expect at the top. We went up as a party of 6 or so people.

As the lift doors opened, I was amazed by the view. I actually expected floor to ceiling glass around the full floor and I was actually thankfully that I wasn't walking right out onto it! One side of the tower features the glass flooring and walls and offers uninterupted views across the promenade, piers and Irish Sea. My son and fiance were fearless and walked right across it without a second thought. I was terrified and it took a lot of courage for me to step out of my comfort zone. I am glad I did as the views and experience were absolutely amazing - a real buzz and beautiful views as it was quite a clear day.

We didn't feel rushed during our time at the top and took plenty of pictures. We headed up stairs to the outdoor part which was very safe but rather cold. If you scared of heights than this definitely isn't for you! The views are amazing regardless of where you stand at the top of the tower. The football stadium and Pleasure Beach are visible - the shops, beach and water are all visible. After 20 minutes or so we were ready to go back down. Overall I can recommend a trip to the top of the tower as it gave us a real buzz. Not something I would do often though.

We made a purchase of a family photo which had been photo shopped to make us look like we were sitting on a beam at the top of the tower. This cost £8. The shop offered lots of tower merchandise including cups and t-shirts at high but average prices for this type of attraction.

*~*The Ballroom and the Circus*~*

Access to the main area of the Ballroom is £9.00 per adult though if you enter on the 5th floor, you can experience it for free.

The Ballroom was opened in 1899.We decided to pop in to the Ballroom during our recent visit to the tower. The Ballroom is a grand affair and is absolutely massive. It features a huge seating area downstairs and dancefloor as well as a curtain covered stage. Various stalls are set across different levels but we experienced the dancing from the upper stalls on the 5th floor. The seating was comfortable and during our visit, we got to see a few couples dance whilst the Organist played - quite mesmorising but not something my son wished to watch for long!

The Ballroom is quite popular and is home to many dancing events. I could imagine it being quite spectacular during an event but not something I would personally attend. Previous dancing events have included contestants from Strictly Come Dancing. I would say the Ballroom is ok to visit should you have time. It isn't always opened to it is worth checking if you plan on visiting for this attraction.

The Circus is on from 31st of March until November and is very popular with school groups and families. As we visited in February, it was closed. Tickets are £12.60 per adult and £9.60 per child. The 2012 schedule features Mooky and Boooffalo Bill in a Wild Wild West type circus show. During the Circus season, performances occur nearly every day and include later shows. I really wish this had been on when we visited as I feel my son would have loved it. I visited the Circus in the tower a few years ago and (even as an adult) fell in love with it - very fun and engaging and totally worth the money so we will be visiting during out next trip.

*~*Jungle Jim's*~*

The entrance to Jungle Jim's is on the 5th floor. Jungle Jims is £6.00 for one hour of play and can accommodate children under 4ft 7in. Our son was excited about visiting Jungle Jim's - I used to love it as a child but it has completely changed. £6.00 is quite high given he is on 3 but he deserved it so in we went. The area is spacious and clean with plenty of seating for parents and also juice and sweetie machines. There are 2 areas. The toddler area is suitable for children under 3 or 90cm and featured lots of soft toys, balls and a small chute. We were told our son was too big to go in here and had to go in the large area. Thankfully there weren't many children in otherwise I would have been scared he was too little!

The main play area of Jungle Jim's has a 'Lost City' theme and looks quite 'forresty'. A few stairs lead up to the play area and there is a platform for parents to walk around should they wish to keep an eye on their child as they wander around the multi-level play area.. Children should wear socks but no shoes and of course, the responsibility of the childs safety lies with the parents/guardians. The main area features lots of hidey holes, swinging bridges and chutes of various sizes. I was scared Ryan would hurt himself but he was perfectly safe and had so much fun.

Both myself and his Dad took it in turns to go up onto the platform and keep an eye on him but there was no need.We made the most of our hour in here and Ryan was red faced and puffed out by the time we left! It is expensive but a pleasant rest place for the parents whilst the cherubs get rid of excess energy! I had a bottle of juice whilst we sat there.

*~*Blackpool Dungeons*~*

Suitable for those over the age of 10. I will just make a short comment here as the Dungeons are actually a separate attraction all together and I will reviewed it separately on my next visit. £15.00 per adult and £12 per child.

The Dungeons are accessed from the back of the tower and I will be visiting them with my sister when we go back down in June. Having been to Edinburgh Dungeons, the concept is the same. The Dungeons features 10 live acts and attractions including Pendle Witches, The Torture Chamber and the Drop Ride To Doom. The 'actors' promoting the Dungeons were dressed well to reflect what you would expect to see inside the Dungeons. I can't wait to visit here and learn all about Blackpools grim history!

*~*Conclusion*~*

Whilst expensive when you consider all of the attraction prices, Blackpool Tower is worth a visit. We went back on the last day just for a wander around inside (since it is free) and it was great to get out the cold for a short while. There is plenty to see and so but like most attractions, I feel is better visited 'in season'.I can recommend Blackpool Tower and I hope you like my pictures.

Comments

Advantages

Disadvantages

While some areas may be a bit delapidated Blackpool is unique and a superb way to spend a rainy day

We visited Blackpool this October with the kids, and as weather was not the warmest decided to pay the tower a visit. My girls (4 and 6 years old) unfortunately like to get up at 7am ... holiday or not ... so the 10am opening was not the best. However, we did need the extra time to actually work out where the entrance was - eventually we found it to the rear of the tower?! Price off peak was £14 per adult and £12 per child. Although it is worthwhile noting you can use your Tesco's clubcard vouchers for entry (see under clubcard deals at Tesco.com). Once again, I left the Tesco's vouchers sitting at home but luckily the landlady of our B&B produced Kid for a Quid vouchers (NB with these adult admission went up to £17). Top tip would therefore be - do a quick online search for downloadable vouchers to save on the quite pricey admission price!

The tower was first opened in 1894 - following the mayor of Blackpool visiting the Eiffel tower and experiencing what I think must have been a feeling of tower envy. The design inside is very art deco with a shabby chic air and on ocassions you really do feel like you are taking a step back in time. For some strange reason it reminded me of St Mark's Square in Venice!

AQUARIUMDon't expect the blue planet. However, it is worth taking the 15 minutes to walk through and see the fish (turtles, nemo, catfish). Aquarium is designed so you feel as if your walking through a cave with huge glass tanks on either side - this did give it a dark, damp, dank feel. That said the seahorses were quite enchanting floating in the water firmly secured against the current by their spiny tails.

TOWER AND WALK OF FAITHFollowing the aquarium we went straight to the tower top, reached by a elevator ride. This area can get busy so we were glad we went there first to avoid the queues. The view from the top was amazing and the kids fully enjoyed jumping on the glass floor (walk of faith) with the 116 m plunge below. It really made me feel quite queasy! My better half had a stronger stomach and took a fab photo from above which clearly showed the kids superimposed on the huge drop!

TOWER BALLROOMThe ballroom is really quite spectacular and is well worth visiting if only for a look. The ceiling, and balconies are gold gilded with spectacular paintings. The floor ... covered with pensioners ... taking their dancing very seriously. A rather unwelcoming sign warned that children were NOT allowed on the dance floor unless they were trained dancers and I must admit this rather put me off. That said, my four year old, when told only proper dancers were allowed on the floor, obviously thought that her year of ballet classes meant this rule did not apply to her! She took a small corner and did some lovely pirouetting before I managed to extract her from the floor and vacate the ballroom accompanied by a rush of tuts from the near dead. Now, I can see how children running amok on the ballroom would spoil the pensioners' display ... however ... surely two to three 10 minutes kids slots a day would allow kids to also experience the delight of dancing in such a grand location!

JUNGLE JIMAnyway ... to make us feel better we decided to go to Jungle Jims. Here the pensioners were not allowed to play ;). This was simply a soft play area but was of a good size and the kids were quite happy running about while we waited with a coffee (not the best but drinkable). A selection of snacks were also offered. With one main enterance in and out of the play area it was easy to make sure your kids don't exit without you knowing. Finding them within the play area, however, was really quite difficult. It took me a full 10 minutes to find and extract mine! Lots and lots of areas which were are completely hidden from sight so be prepared to yell or take your shoes off and climb ... always fun!

3 D FILM AND DINOSOUR WALK THROUGHOkay ... as I mentioned ... at times in the tower it was like taking a step back in time and the 3D film was no exception ... straight to the 1980s! It is a shame, but this feature I felt has had its day. It totally failed to compete with modern 3D films. The Dinosaur walk through that followed was enjoyed by my kids - huge latex dinosaurs that moved and very realistic dinosaur roars being played. That said some of the models had seen better days (think ripped latex and you have the picture!).

MOOKY CIRCUSPicking the later show (3pm) this was the last thing in the tower we visited. Up until this point everything had been okay, no more ... no less. The circus, however, was fabulous. I think the show changes but we experienced a Chinese circus. In addition to Mooky the clown - funny but rather repetitive ... we saw acrobats, martial art specialists, 10+ girls on a single bicycle, unicycles, people pyramids, human music boxes. At one point, I kid you not, the floor of the circus ring turned into a pool .... in the middle mermaids contorted into strange shapes and above the trapeze artists flew. The circus lasted a full 2 hours and the entire time both adults and children alike were entertained and delighted. For the circus alone the Tower is well worth a visit!!

Overall my whole family enjoyed Blackpool Tower, while some attractions had seen better days, there was enough to keep everyone entertained for the entire day. Attractions were diverse from fish, to dinasours, to victorian grandeour. Definitely an escape from the tack!

Comments

Advantages

Disadvantages

The circus is worth the entry price alone! Brilliant!

Blackpool Tower is one of Britains most famous landmarks, and is now over 200 years old. The very top for the tower is over 515ft in the air, and its of course based on its more famous French counterpart - the Eiffel Tower. Two widely unknown facts about the tower are that it has a 19th century time capsule underneath it, and it is built in such a way that it was ever to collapse it would fall into the sea and not into the surrounding buildings!

Tickets for the tower vary in price depending on where you buy them - if you turn up at the door as we did then it costs £17 per adult and £14 per child; however if you pre-purchase them online then both adults and children cost £14 per person.

The attractions themselves are a group of contrasts. The first attraction we came across was the Aquarium; which was quite small, busy and dark. Its got about 15-20 seperate windows full of different fish, plants and aquatic animals such as crabs etc. Its an interesting little exhibit, and can probably hold your attention for around 10 minutes.

Then we went upstairs to the 3D Cinema and Dinosaur Walk. This was really funny but only because the 3D Cinema was possibly the worst thing ive seen! Its around 20 years old and is a blurry, unexciting journey back to the land of the Dinosaur's. This was just awful; not to the mention the small 'cinema' smelt absolutely awful! The Dinosaur Walk was OK, it will take you around two minutes to walk through and thats if you stop to look at the little exhibits. This whole area really could do with updating to say the least!

Then we went to the Ballroom; this was brilliant. Its a grandiose, large, old fashioned ballroom with a bar, lots of seating, a massive dancefloor and of course the vintage, authentic Wurlitzer playing all of the music. Im not into dancing particularly, but it was really nice to watch some of the older couples reliving their glory days and genuinely enjoying themselves! It did seem like you could join in if you wanted to, however its not like a regular dance hall where you can throw some shapes! You do need to know the dances that are going on to join in. Even if you just want to sit down and watch, you will find yourself spending a lot of time here!

It was then time for the 'Mooky's Eastern Promise' circus. My girlfriend was slightly apprehensive about this as she felt it would just be clowns throwing custard pies at each other! However, this was one of the highlights of our holiday! The Asian acts presented were absolutely brilliant of a wide variety; my personal favourite was the seemingly invincible Shaolin Monks, who were able to break a real metal part over their heads! There was a brilliant trapeze, balancing acts, acrobatics, and of course comedy and audience participation from Mooky; who was surprisingly funny and engaging! This really is a must see for anyone on holiday in Blackpool, a fantastic and massively entertaining two hour show!

Then came our visit to the Tower Top. This is of course popular, so you join the queue (which we spent about ten minutes in), and around half way through they pull you out the queue to have your picture taken that you can look at and perhaps purchase later. There are a lot of money making systems like this employed in the tower for example a few arcades, slot machines, teddy bear grabbers (where in Blackpool doesnt have these?!) and a large number of souvenirs available during the circus; however we didnt find this a problem and ultimately you only have to say no. I imagine this would be slightly more difficult if you had kids! We bought the pictures and thought they were very good!

The lift to the tower top took about 60-90 seconds and was packed, as was the first level of the tower top when you get there! The 'Walk of Faith' was good,. larger than i expected and confusing for the senses and a brilliant photo opportunity, but again it was busy as your not the only one trying to get a photo on it!For those wishing to access the very top of the tower, its around 2-3 flights of stairs, with a large walkway area to stop at halfway up if you cant face going all the way like my girlfriend! Anyone scared of heights ill just say that everything is well covered on the way up, due to the height of the fences and rails around it as well as the protective mesh, it is more or less impossible to have anything happen to you! The view from the top is spectacular; i was able to see the North Wales coast!

I cannot speak for the cafe, but after a look at the menu it did seem to be a varied selection that is slightly expensive for what it is.

We spent around 4 and a half hours in the tower with around half of this in the circus.Some of the tower, especially the 3D Cinema, I wouldnt go to ever again even if they were free! However the Ballroom, the Tower top and of course the superb Mooky's Circus make Blackpool Tower an unmissable day out!

TIP: your Blackpool Tower tickets get you in half price in the Tussauds Waxworks and the Adventure Isle Golf, both of which were really fun so make sure you hold onto your tickets!

Comments

Advantages

Disadvantages

worth a visit

Blackpool Tower opened in 1894 after being commissioned by the Blackpool Mayor after he had visited the Eifel Tower and been impressed with its design. This iconic 158m high structure is visible for 30 miles from Blackpool and when we visit the town catching sight of the tower is always a sign that we have almost arrived. Because the base of the Blackpool Tower is enclosed within a huge building, there is lots for visitors to do and see within the tower making it one of Blackpool's most popular tourist attractions.

The first thing that you come across when you enter the tower is the aquarium which was opened in the 1870s while the tower was being built. This has seen better days to be honest and is simply a square room with large tanks of fish around the walls and is rather dark and gloomy. They do have Clown Fish made famous by Finding Nemo and a few other interesting tropical fish and some very amusing turtles. Little kids seemed to love looking at the fish but there's not much in the aquarium to keep older kids or adults happy for long.

Moving up a level and you have the Jurassic walk and cinema, the walk has huge plastic dinosaurs set amongst foliage. The dinosaurs moved and roared and in one amusing scene a T-Rex was lying bleeding and being eaten by another dinosaur. We did not visit the 3D cinema showing as we did not want to wait for the next show to start but I have got a feeling that this is one that is best for little boys.

The next attraction on our list was the famous Tower Ballroom. Ballroom dancing seems to have fallen out of fashion of late but in it's heyday was a popular pastime and the TV series Come Dancing was broadcast from the tower. It was like stepping back in time the second we entered the ballroom. The room itself is simply stunning with huge crystal chandeliers, lavishly painted ceilings and all kinds of sculptures in gold on the stalls. The famous Wurlitzer organ sits on the stage and couples twirled around the room in time to the music. There is a café selling cream teas in the ballroom and also a bar so you can partake of refreshments and sit for as long as you like soaking up the atmosphere in this amazing room.

Now it was time to go to the top of the tower. The only way to the top is via lifts which leave every 5 minutes during peak times and look rather ancient, I certainly would not want to get stuck in one of them! The lifts are made of glass and it is brilliant watching the view as you climb higher, you can see the innards of the tower as well as being able to see over to the sea when you get higher.

There are three levels to explore once the lift reaches its destination, the first one contains the Walk of Faith which is a glass floor 380 feet up in the air with views down to the street below. The walk of faith is brilliant, intellectually you know that the glass is strong enough to hold several elephants but your instincts are screaming out that it is dangerous to walk over a glass panel and these instincts are backed up by the outline of a body with the word ouch next to it painted onto a rooftop below! I did manage to walk over the glass floor while looking straight ahead but some brave souls were sitting and lying down on the glass and enjoying the view.

There are narrow staircases taking you up a further two levels. The views from the top of the tower are simply stunning and well worth the climb, unfortunately the views are shielded somewhat by the netting that surrounds each level but I suppose if the netting was not there then some people would decided to jump. You can see as far as Wales and the Isle of Man on a clear day but even looking at the proms and seafront along Blackpool is fascinating.

One of the biggest attractions of the Blackpool Tower is the circus and admission is included with your entry ticket. I will admit that I hate circuses so I went and found myself a quiet café and read a book while my daughter and her friend went in and saw the show. They loved the circus which has a spectacular water finale and also included genuine monks and Mookie the clown and displays of acrobatics. The circus lasts for 2 hours and there are three shows a day.

Other attractions within the tower include Jungle Jims soft play area, an exhibition celebrating Charlie Cairoli who was one of the original clowns in the circus and restaurants and amusement arcades.

I enjoyed my visit to Blackpool tower and there was plenty to keep us occupied for a few hours meaning it is an ideal place to visit on a wet day. It is especially good for kids because they will love the soft play area and dinosaurs but adults will enjoy the ballroom and tower top. An adult ticket currently costs £17 with a child ticket costing £14 so it is an expensive place to visit but considering the amount of entertainment provided is fairly good value. The tower is showing considerable signs of wear in some areas like the aquarium and I read with interest that it has been bought by Merlin Entertainment in 2010 and it will be interesting to see how they change the tower over time.

Comments

Advantages

Disadvantages

excellent for the young and old to have lots of fun

When our children were young we always used to take them to Blackpool at least once a year to normally see the illuminations and we always had a brilliant time, we used to go by car or on trips with friends and family, whichever way we travelled it was always good fun.

Blackpool Tower was one of the attractions the children used to love visiting as it had a lot to offer, it had then a little play area called Jungle Jims were they could go and play on slides and ball ponds and explore the play area with safety, while we had a drink as it had a café next to it and so we could keep take care of them and see what they were doing etc.

There is a choice to go up the Tower in a lift and it is included in the price but it is not essential that have go up the Tower but I highly recommend that you do as the view is brilliant and at the top you can walk all the way around it safely as there is a large caged fencing and there is a clear glass that you can see through and it is a little frightening as you think you may fall down but it is just for amusement and the little ones love it.

There is a nice ballroom that has music for people of all ages to just go and have a dance and have fun, you do not need to be a professional dancer but a lot of people are very good dancers, our children just used to go on the floor and dance to their hearts content and have lots of fun.

It was opened in 1894 and it is 518 feet 9 inches tall and it can be seen for as far away as 30 miles.

It has a nice aquarium which has nice fresh and salt water fish inside and it has a nice area to view them and walk around.

It has a Jarassic walk which includes 3D cinema and you can walk through a dinosaur landscape.

Also there is a circus that is daily but this is not in the admission price, you have to book separately for your seats etc and times.

When we used to go it used to be priced at around £11 for adults and a little cheaper for the children but a family ticket can be purchased at a value price, and children under a certain age go free but I cannot remember what the youngest age is but babies will go free as I never paid for my babies at the time and I would not think that has changed.

The opening hours vary from a week day to a weekend.

There are lots of cafes and bars to have a drink and something to eat and you can spend as much time as you want as it is unlimited.

I think if you are going to Blackpool sometime in the future and have not been inside this attraction, I highly recommend that you do as the price is well worth the money for the amount of hours you can spend having fun inside and on rainy days it is brilliant.

Comments

Advantages

Disadvantages

Great

As we now live in Bolton, Lancashire, the nearest seaside town is the lovely Blackpool.

One major attraction in Blackpool is the famous Blackpool tower, the tower top is 158 metres high, so as soon as you arrive in Blackpool you will instantly see the tower. You can actually see the tower in parts of Manchester and Blackpool. The tower itself is actually on Blackpool sea front.

There are plenty of car parks in Blackpool, so finding somewhere to leave the car isn't a problem.

Ticket prices for the tower change during the year, but expect to pay around £14 per person. For this entrance fee you get to travel the lift to the top of the tower, admission to Mookys circus, and the tower ballroom. There are other smaller attractions too, including an aquariam and a soft play area.

The tower top:

The tower top ride is a must when visiting Blackpool, there is a lift that takes you 116metres above ground level, up the top of the tower there is a small gift shop, and also plenty of viewing points to see the amazing views, there is a walk of death, which is basically a sheet of glass that you can walk over, this is great for kids.

The Ballroom:

The tower houses its very own ballroom, this is very well known for fans of ballroom dancers, the floor itself is 120ft square and whenever we have visited, it has been full of the ballroom dancers. This may be boring for children but i know my parents always enjoy watching the dancing. There is an organ there and always live music being played throughout the day. Within the organ world, the tower is famous for housing the first Wurlitzer organ.

The circus:

The circus ring is an amazing work of art, is is actually in the middle of the tower, on the ground level, sat inside the circus you can see each of the four legs that actually hold the tower up. I am 22 and my girlfriend is 21 and we both thought the circus was very good, although it is more aimed towards children,it can be enjoyed by any age. The main attraction of the circus is Mooky the clown, i believe he has worked in the circus for years and does a brilliant job of keeping the crowd entertained. There are always different acrobatic displays from all over the world that are excellent, some of the stunts they do really have you holding your breath. The circus ring floor is lowered during the performance, and magically fills with water, you then get to see brilliant water stunts. The time we visited we got to see a human cannonball, very exciting.

The aquariam:

In the tower building there is an aquariam, this is another nice feature as it is something we didn't expect, i am not really into fish, but there were some biggens in there!

Childrens play area:

I have to admit when i saw the childrens play area, i was absolutely gutted i am 22 years old, it looks brilliant, and it is huge. Children will love it. From what i could see there were ball pools, slides, ropes & fireman poles. Stick your kids in here for an hour and they will sleep in the car the whole way home.

Jurassic walk & 3D cinema:

This attraction is a bit strange, it is all about dinosaurs, you walk through a trail of dinosaurs which move and make sounds etc.. then you can watch a 3D film about them, this is again more for children but i found it fun enough myself!

Food & drink:

There are plenty places to eat within the tower, there is a pasta and pizza buffet called Bickerstaffes, the name pretty much sums up what they provide. They also offer kids meals such as sausage & chips, fishfingers & chips etc... The pizza buffet was £6.25 for an adult and we found it more than adequate, not as good as pizza hut but it did do the job. There is another restaraunt called restaraunt 1894, this serves proper meals like roast dinners and stews, we didn't eat here so can't comment. The tower ballroom is good for people who like afternoon tea, they sell scones and little cakes and also do sandwiches, we have had a sandwich in here before but they are very expensive. Whilst walking round the tower you will also come across plenty of smaller cafe's where you can stop for a drink.

Overall for a good day out i would definitely reccomend the tower, it is brilliant for people of all ages and I don't think its overly priced. It's pretty much the only attraction of its kind in the UK. One thing to look out for, is during the winter months on windy days, the tower top ride isn't always open - during the summer months this should be fine.

5/5 from me, a great day out!

Comments

Advantages

Disadvantages

family fun day out

I visited blackpool tower in August last year, the tower does not look and very big from the outside, once inside the space is unbeleivable, I was very shocked that they could fit so many attrations within it.

They have 2 entrances on at the front on the main shore road and the other at the back beside the shopping centre. be warned we had to que for 40 mins (in the pouring rain) with no shelter. It gets very busy in the summer!! best to pre book tickets for the circus on entrance.

we had a lady in a wheelchair with us, the staff were more than helpful and they operate the lift to the top of the tower and even let you skip the que.

The circus was fantastic but the balcony was very high and the children leaning over the edge were making me very nervous. The disabled seats however were in a very good position.

The 3D cinema was ok, i think children would enjoy it more than we did.

The food was actually very good in the main restaurant and reasonably priced.

The ballroom is lovely and I found all the old couples dancing very romantic, wished i could dance like them.

There is also a small aqaurim downstairs and a kids soft play area.

I would reccomend the tower it made a good day out!

Comments

Advantages

Disadvantages

The only quality tower in the UK

Another thrilling sight to see in Blackpool is of course the standing big tower. Now if you actually go inside rather than looking at the tower from the outside like some people do its a different experience. You can actually go inside the tower and take a ride up.

There are other things to do inside a eating area plus a lot of other sections where a lot of items are being sold inside. It cost me ten pounds to take a trip up the tower and boy was it a good experience and it was fun.

What happened was they put us in the tower and you go up and get to see everyone else from a top view. It is very scary because from the bottom you are made to stand on glass! It just feels like the glass can break at any time and you will fall down! That's how I felt like when looking at everyone from the view.

They do not permit you to bring your own food here and also any other items when going up the tower. If you have yet to be been on top of the tower I suggest to check it out. The thrill of being on top of the tower is just amazing.Book online for a cheaper price though as the price has gone even higher in recent weeks for going up the tower.

Comments

Advantages

Disadvantages

great place highlight imo is the the walk off faith

We visited the tower in 2008 and i was very impressed with the entertainment on offer and all for a reasonable price,considering you could go in the morning and stay well into the evening. Firstly we visited the aquarium, there were some beautiful colored fish,there were seahorses large sting rays and sharks.. The way the tanks were laid out and the low lighting made for lovely exhibits in a relaxing atmosphere,we spent a lot of time there before we moved on. Next you enter an area with slot machines not really my thing but i sure the children enjoy it.We headed for the ballroom which is beautiful inside and that wonderful old organ the wurzzler we spent an enjoyable time here watching children s dance groups compete. Then went along the corridor and there is a beautiful solid silver model of the tower. On the next floor there is a bar area where you can sit and socialize there is also an are to eat,this floor also has a jungle jims for kids and a dinosaur ride . We left after abut 3 hours and went shopping in Blackpool town centre,when you enter the Tower they stamp your hand so as you can return later.We had our supper in the hotel and returned to the Tower for the circus,which was immensley entertaining very well led on with trapeze artists mokey the clown motor bikes on high wires i dont want to say to much to ruin the show but mark my words it was a very enjoyable experience.Then the highlight of the day was a trip to the top of the tower and the walk of faith were the floor is entirely made of glass not for the week hearted hope this is helpful to anyone considering a trip there.

Comments

Advantages

Disadvantages

Probably best bit thing in Blackpool

Getting there: Whenever we go to Blackpool we always play the "who can spot Blackpool Tower first" game. Whether arriving by train or car, the Tower stands out in the distance. If arriving by train its about a 10 minute walk to the tower from Blackpool North station. Just head down Talbot road and then turn left aiming for the prom. If driving go to the end of the M55 and parking is clearly sign-posted. On a windy day it's advisiable to use the entrance on the non-prom side of the Tower - it can get very blustery - hold on to your hats!!!Admission: There are a number of vouchers available for the Tower, ie Tesco free child entry with full-paying adult. If using these the full price is payable - ie £16.95 adults. If not using vouchers there are currently some promotional rates available. From now (Sept) til the Tower closes in November (excluding half-term) you can get tickets for £10 online or on the door £12 adults and £10 concessions. During half-term the on-door price increases to £16.95 and concessions £13.95 or £15 and £12 online and the Tesco vouchers aren't redeemable. When we've been before we've got a family ticket which they have available for combinations of adults/child ratios so look out for them. Circus admission is included in the Tower entry and you get a reserved seat so if there's a few of you of you make sure you book together to get your seats together in the circus.What's to do when you're in? One you've handed over your money you're in and ready for a fun-packed day. If entering from the "non-prom" side the first attraction is the Aquarium. Last time we went my son commented that some of the fish seemed a bit big for the tank, but we saw Nemo and Dory so that was OK! Emerging from the Aquarium is a small amusement arcade and cloakroom. Prams and pushchairs can be put in here for free (you can't take them in the circus). Other items can be left for 50p each. In the past we've put all our coats in one bag to save carrying them around all day.Up to the next floor is the Tower ballroom where you can dance the day away or just sit and watch as other's glide around the dance floor - well not always glide in fact it's quite fun when some of the routines don't go to plan and one of the partners storms off in a huff! In the ballroom is a licenced bar serving beers, lager etc. At the other end of the bar is a tea shop serving tea, sandwiches, cakes etc. Also in the ballroom don't miss the organ descend into the floor as the organist finishes and another begins. Up to the next floor and into 1491 eating area. It's a self service restaurant selling traditional meals, sandwiches, burgers, etc. It's reasonably priced and the food's OK, nothing special though. Walking through the eating area takes you through to every kids favourite bit of the day - Jungle Jims. They're is a wristband system where each different coloured band gives an hours play. But when your hours up you can always go back and get another colour later in the day. Jungle Jims was re-done a couple of years ago and is the style of a lost world. Ball pools, slides, ropes, climbing etc are all in here and there's a little seperate play area for toddlers. There is a seating are for adults and a licenced bar and coffee shop, which is very civilised when your young ones run off and abandon you for an hour to go and play. The seating area also has a few TV screens so you can see inside the play area and monitor what little Jack and Katie are up to!!When the kids are exhausted from Jungle Jims the next port of call has to be the top of the Tower lift ride. However sometimes when the weather's not brill the lift doesn't run, but they usually tell you this on admission. The lift takes you so far where you can do the walk of faith - basically walk on a piece of transparent perspex so you can see the ground a long way below you. Which is a bit fun looking a long way below. If you're feeling fit there are 2 more flights of stairs to take you even higher and you can walk round to take in all the views. If you go when the illumnations are on it's quite a sight looking over Blackpool and seeing all the lights.The Circus is perhaps the more famous part of the Tower - this year called the Circus of Dreams - there are acrobats, jugglers, even animals - not really ones though! And of course Mooky the Clown and Mr Boo, who my youngest adores. Before the circus and at the interval they sell souviners, popcorn, candy floss in the circus ring and you can even have your face painted like Mooky.All in all it is a good day out and is definetely good value for money. You could easily pay more for just a show ticket that lasts a couple of hours compared to the price of the admission to the Tower.

Comments

Advantages

Disadvantages

Visit the Tower, Its more than the sum of its parts.

Blackpool Tower, the most stunning land mark in the country rising up into view from miles away and the focus of a game played by many a holiday maker as to who spots it first on the way to Blackpool.

This magnificant structure has been open since 1894 and stands at 518 feet 9 inches. It was supposed to be based on the eiffel tower but surpasses it on aesthetics.

Entry is gained from either the prom or the street behind and a small tip is if its warm and sunny there will be a bigger queue on the prom side, cold and wet means a bigger queue to the rear.

It costs £10 for all to book online but adults pay £13.95 on the door, our last trip for a family of 5 with one over 16 cost £61.85, quite a lot of money so lets see what you get.

On entry you are presented with an aquarium which is reasonably interesting but not on a par with say a sea life centre so 10 minutes should see you through it, the ballroom is nice with its rich furnishings and breathtaking finishing and famous wurlitzer but not for the kids although the dancing can be quite hilarious, then the jurassic walk which is a meander through a room of averagely sculpted and obviously fake dinosaurs then the 3d cinema which is definately worth a look, you'l go back to it as its very strange to see things coming right at you, on to Jungle Jims now and the pub with excellent kids entertainment next door is a nice place for a break but anyone familiar with the Jungle Jims of the past will be sorely disappointed as its been completely changed, the size has been much reduced and its nowhere near as good. The circus is fantastic and the standard of entertainment is quite unbelievable, Mookie the clown will tickle every funnybone.

Finally the tower top ride does exactly what it says on the tin, Soak in the history of the building on the way and enjoy the exposed view to the top, once there enjoy the monumental views on offer then try the walk of faith which is basically a dirty scratched glass plate which could do with replacement.

This review seems to be saying that its not worth the cash but actually it is, if a building had a soul this would have the biggest and the atmosphere, sounds, smells etc.... bring it to life, its a gem and when you add everything up its a place you must see.

A point to note is that you can go out and in all day once you have paid so go out for dinner because the food inside is extortionate.

Comments

Advantages

Disadvantages

Great family day out.

You'll be amazed... You'll be enthralled...You'll be astounded by Blackpool's best value, all-inclusive attraction - at Blackpool Tower & Circus there's something for everyone to enjoy in a clean, safe environment, making it the ultimate day out for families.Join us this year and experience the adventure that is the all new Jungle Jim's Towering Adventureland.

previous paragraph was copied from the blackpool tower website.

Prices..

Adults - £16.95 Seniors - £13.95 Child - £13.95

As a child my family used to take me to blackpool every year and the thing i looked forward to the most was blackpool tower. It was fun and entertaining. My favourite attraction in the tower was jungle jims, i spent hours jumping in the ball pools and sliding down the slides.

Now i'm a mother myself and i have taken my children to blackpool tower many times, even though they are 11, 13 and 14 they love it. My eldest daughter was upset this year as she thought she would be too tall for jungle jims, to her delight she wasn't and all three of them spent 3 hours running around the ball pools and chasing eachother around while my husband and i sat and had a well earned drink.

One thing that has changed since i was a child is that they have now included a circus in the price of entry to the tower. The first time we went to the circus i thought it couldn't be that good as it was included in the entrance price.........was i surprised!!!

We loved every minute, they had mookie the clown who made the kids giggle, there were also acrobats, tightrope walkers and acts that did jaw dropping death defying stunts that kept you on the edge of your seat. The whole experiance lasted around 2 and a half hours wich i would have payed the whole entrance fee to see. The circus is a must if you go to blackpool tower as its an experiance you will remember forever. We have been back every year since and i can only say it gets better every year.

My husband convinced me to go to the top of the tower, i was reluctant as i am terrified of heights, but i gave in and went. The elevator ride is amazing as you can see everything around. When you get to the top you can walk around and look out over the whole of blackpool, there is even a glass plate you can stand on wich is a great thing to experiance as my children found out as they laughed at me trying to step over it.

You could easily spend a whole day in the tower and not get bored, if you want to leave the tower for any reason you can re-enter at any time on the same day.

This is truley a wonderful family day out and one your children will remember as i still do now.

Comments

Advantages

Disadvantages

You must do this once. Whether you do it again depends on what you thought.

The most iconic tower in Britain is still a good day out for the family.

Let's start with the attractions:The Tower Top Ride - You can ride to the top of the tower as many times as you like in daylight or darkness while in the tower. There is a section of floor made of glass called the walk of faith. Not for the faint of heart & get wonderful views of Blackpool.

Jungle Jims - Very large childrens play are with ball pools, slides, rope climbs & other apparatus. I have no children so I can't comment on whether todays kids enjoy it, but it was there when I was a kid & I loved it.

The Tower Circus - 1 admission to the circus is included with every persons ticket. I enjoy the Tower circus. It usualy comprises of different types of acts including Mooky the Clown, acrobats & trapeze artists. The show changes every year with different acts & is very entertaining. Get there early enough & you can sometimes get front row seats at no extra cost.

The Dinosaur 3D Cinema - Short film in which you travel back through time. Mildly entertaining & feel free to watch it if you have time although not a main draw & not as good as 3D films which are in Big Name amusement parks like Disney's for instance.

The Aquarium - A small aquarium with a variety of fish, turtles & other marine life. Located downstairs & the circus exits into it. Have a look around then but the Sealife Centre is better if you want to go in an aquarium.

Tower Ballroom - A world famous, highly ornate Ballroom which will play music throughout the day for the guests to dance too. Also sometimes has short shows by amateur dance groups which you can watch for free.

I think that if you have never been in the tower it is good value for money. However if you have been in before & possibly recently, with the exception of the circus, you may have seen all it has to offer.

Comments

Advantages

Disadvantages

I definately recommend the Blackpool Tower, a fun day out and at a reasonable price.

For me one of the best places to visit!

Blackpool Tower is somewhere that all ages can find something of interest the price is actually very reasonable at £13.95 for adults and £10.95 for children and seniors. Especially when included in the price you get admission to the Tower's Circus. The Circus has a different show every year with a variety of acts. Some are quite tame and other acts are quite daring so you get a bit of everthing. I have been regularly for 6 years and the circus is one of my favourite things about Blackpool Tower. The circus generally has two performances in a day normally around 12pm or 1pm and then again around 3pm or 4pm.

There are plenty of activities for children such as the Jurassic Walk and the Jungle Jims Towering Adventureland. There is also a mini bowling alley and an arcade which has the usual machines and games. I tend to avoid the arcades though and Blackpool is full of them anyway.

Then there is the Aquarium which both children and adults will enjoy don't get me wrong it doesn't have the best selection of aquatic life but it's a nice chilled out area.

There are places to eat including Restaurant 1894, they offer hot meals, Sandwiches and also a variety of desserts and pastries. I only went in once and I had a slice of carrot cake which was slightly drier than what it should have been, but it was nearing the end of the day.

Another one of my favourite places in the tower is the Tower ballroom which is a lovely place to relax and have a cuppa and to watch people dancing, some beginners and some more experienced.

Oh and of course the main attraction being the top of the tower it advertises that on a clear day you can see as far as the Lake District and North Wales, unfortunately I've always gone to the top of the tower on a cloudy or downright miserable day. It is still fun however to get in the lift and see the street below getting smaller. There is also the Walk of Faith which is a 2 inch glass panel located in the floor on one of the levels, at first a bit daunting but ok once you are used to the weird sensation of looking at the ground below.

The Lift does not go up when there are strong winds for obvious reasons so you have to pick your visit to the tower carefully.